Please talk to me about dealing with arthritis

[misst]

I did ramp training with our old girl who was too heavy for me to lift in and out of the car. She did not like the ramp and refused to "load" but lots of gentle encouragement and treats over a few days practicing getting in and out safely paid off really well. The ramp needs to feel secure and non slip - a bit like teaching the horse to load. Librella helps my little lad and lifting on/off beds and sofas etc. Weight management is important too. Even a small of amount of extra weight loads their joints more.

 

[Muddy unicorn]

Flooring. If you have hard flooring like laminate or tile buy some non slip mats for traffic areas.

Non-slippy stone and carpet

 

[meesha]

Our 10 year old border collie is loon in the field and when out but was stiff after sleeping in the evenings.

Vet suggested metacam but I wasn't keen as she has delicate tummy. Instead we have a librella jab in the neck every 4 weeks...no side effects and really does help. I also only throw the frisbee a couple of times and not far and try to stop her running around manically.

Interestingly ...she was refusing to come to work in the car with me.... She was in the boot, lifted in and out...

I got a back seat protector and now she is happy to get in the car again on the back seat...such a relief as it has got to the stage I had to carry her from the house to the car as she was refusing.

I think slight modifications are key, just less rather than no ball chasing etc ...

Also check with anyone walking your dog what thet r doing, my elderly parents had a flipping ball thrower, I assumed they were doing calm walks then she came home v sore and I asked...they were mortified bless them... Said it does get competitive down the park with the ball throwers my fault, they knew she had arthritis but I hadn't been clear enough.

We all get stiff as we get older, it's just managing it.

 

[Jenko109]

I'm unsure about Librella.

I appreciate there must be thousands of dogs all across the country who are on it and there must have been trials etc, but it's so new isnt it? I've read some concerning stories and its spooked me a bit.

 

[skinnydipper]

I'm unsure about Librella.

I appreciate there must be thousands of dogs all across the country who are on it and there must have been trials etc, but it's so new isnt it? I've read some concerning stories and its spooked me a bit.

If you are not sure about Librela and your vet suggests pain relief, why not ask to try Galliprant? Galliprant specifically targets osteo arthritis pain and inflammation, and although an NSAID it is one which is less likely to affect the gut, liver or kidneys.

 

[Jenko109]

If you are not sure about Librela and your vet suggests pain relief, why not ask to try Galliprant? Galliprant specifically targets osteo arthritis pain and inflammation, and although an NSAID it is one which is less likely to affect the gut, liver or kidneys.

Yes. I have struggled to figure out if they do a liquid version.

The dog is an absolute nightmare for taking pills. A devils spawn. Its foam at the mouth madness trying to get a pill down her.

I'll have a chat with them tomorrow and see what plan we can come up with.

 

[skinnydipper]

Yes. I have struggled to figure out if they do a liquid version.

The dog is an absolute nightmare for taking pills. A devils spawn. Its foam at the mouth madness trying to get a pill down her.

I'll have a chat with them tomorrow and see what plan we can come up with.

Have you tried coating pills in Philly, that works here and also liver pate for dogs in a tube, some of that slathered on might help.

 

[AmyMay]

Yes. I have struggled to figure out if they do a liquid version.

The dog is an absolute nightmare for taking pills. A devils spawn. Its foam at the mouth madness trying to get a pill down her.

I'll have a chat with them tomorrow and see what plan we can come up with.

Galliprant is incredibly palatable.

 

[Jenko109]

Have you tried coating pills in Philly, that works here and also liver pate for dogs in a tube, some of that slathered on might help.

Yup.

If the pill is very easy to cut and I can nip it into teenie tiny pieces, then i can hide it through chunks of her dinner. Some pills much easier than others though!

Have tried a variety of cheeses, sausage, tinned meats etc. She is very delicate with her food and likes to actually chew it so will suss a pill. Once she has sussed that there is a pill, she wont touch anything.

If its particularly palatable though, then its worth a shot.

 

[Goldenstar]

I know several people using Librela with great sucess .
my oldest dog has just started on Galliprant and it’s worked well, it’s needs taking on empty stomach would your dog eat that crushed and mixed into a teaspoon of tuna or cat food , crushes and in raw mince works for some .
You can use paracetamol which crushes easily into food .
For a dog with a fair amount of pain like yours I probably would be combining Librela with another medication my friend has a spaniel who had a poor start in life he has extensive arthritis it took time but they have got him a good regimen now and he’s looking good .
I would reduce off lead madness I would not stop it at this stage just reduce it and increase on lead exercise .
I would life into the car and stop all jumping that you can .
Ramp training if fits it in and will help .
Beds need looking at as well she needs whatever she finds really comfy .

 

[Clodagh]

I just support the dog as it climbs out of the car, so either a handful of scruff or a hand under the keel to take some weight. Getting in a lot of people out shooting teach their dogs to put their front feet on the sill and then boost their bums manually. Mine jump but I give them a helping hand.

 

[Jenko109]

Update.

We got a Galliprant subscription. Due to her size, she only needs half a tablet a day.

Squished it into a bit of meat. She chewed the meat up in her usual delicate fashion, the tablet fell out into her bowl.....she then ate the tablet

Fingers crossed the medication suits her.

 

[Jenko109]

Argh, was wonky walking up the stairs after our walk this morning.

I understand she has only had one tablet so far but I believe the drug to be fast acting so should already be onboard?

Will give it a few more days but may have to go back to the drawing board. From what I have read, it seems like Galliprant works a bit different to other NSAID's so I'm trying not to feel too gutted.

It has just all come on so quickly. I considered her such a young nine year old just a few months back and she was still popping around the occasional agility course. Now I'm freaking out about not being able to provide a suitable pain management plan

 

[skinnydipper]

Argh, was wonky walking up the stairs after our walk this morning.

I understand she has only had one tablet so far but I believe the drug to be fast acting so should already be onboard?

Will give it a few more days but may have to go back to the drawing board. From what I have read, it seems like Galliprant works a bit different to other NSAID's so I'm trying not to feel too gutted.

It has just all come on so quickly. I considered her such a young nine year old just a few months back and she was still popping around the occasional agility course. Now I'm freaking out about not being able to provide a suitable pain management plan

I would give it a few more days, a week maybe. She might need a different drug or something else alongside.

I don't know much about it but there is a newish NSAID (Daxocox) which is only given once a week, as your dog is difficult to get tablets into it might be a good option. Something to discuss with your vet.

 

[meleeka]

Argh, was wonky walking up the stairs after our walk this morning.

I understand she has only had one tablet so far but I believe the drug to be fast acting so should already be onboard?

Will give it a few more days but may have to go back to the drawing board. From what I have read, it seems like Galliprant works a bit different to other NSAID's so I'm trying not to feel too gutted.

It has just all come on so quickly. I considered her such a young nine year old just a few months back and she was still popping around the occasional agility course. Now I'm freaking out about not being able to provide a suitable pain management plan

Mine was fine one day and old the next. Don’t panic yet though. You are at the very beginning of what vets can offer and there’s loads to try if one doesn’t suit. It is perfectly manageable once you find the right thing that helps.

 

[paisley]

No jumping up/on stuff, no skiddy floors, physio, hydrotherapy, massage mitt (Equisaage), warm coats so muscles don’t get stiff, more bit shorter walks, actual walking when on lead (better for using muscle), a different walk each time to keep interest, tried Galliprant , gave him the wibbles, now on Amantadine, paracetamol and a minimal Metacam dose. Still active and keen two years after acute episode. Exercise adjusted if it’s a slow day or he’s not as keen, but he leads the way on the walks- and I’ve had days when I know he isn’t keen so it’s not always exercise excitement. It takes time to adjust them and your expectations so take it steady if you can.

 

[Aru]

Lots of excellent advise has already been shared on here but just had to add. Librela is getting a bit of a reputation online...but it's not particularly warranted v some of the other commonly used drugs for pain.
The side effects free spiel from the company isn't helpful,there are absolutely side effects being seen, just like with other medications.....but its getting blamed for a lot of issues that just do not match with what the drug is likely to have triggered. Elderly animals come with a lot of potential for other health issues and that medication is used for end of life care so causation v correlation comes into play a lot with its use.

I've seen it make hugh quality of life improvements on dogs on this drug where the euthanasia chat was on the cards. I'd use it on my own dogs. I wouldn't let the online stories remove it as an option completely.

It reminds me of all the hype and blame on bravecto and that medication class that exists online. Absolutely some serious effects to exist...no medication that works is truely risk feee.
But that doesn't mean the entire medication class should be removed as an option for the hugh amount of dogs that benefit from their use.

It's always a risk assement with medication.

 

[Muddy unicorn]

Quick update - he’s been referred to a neurologist at the nearby referral centre. It looks like the pain is coming from his spine as he’s tender all along his back, ribs on both sides and his chest. A different vet thought that what the first vet assumed was stiff hips due to arthritis was just him guarding everything as his back is hurting. He’s got gabapentin and pardale (he doesn’t tolerate metacam).

My next dilemma is do I go for MRI or not? It’s going to cost £3.5-£4k just for investigations and I’ve decided that I won’t put him through treatment with a long recovery period or uncertain prognosis so what would the MRI achieve? I’m not sure what to do. He seems brighter and friends who’ve seen him this week said he seemed perfectly normal to them

 

[skinnydipper]

If you have decided not to put him through surgery, could you ask the neurologist if symptomatic treatment is an option?

 

[paisley]

I wanted an MRI when mine had an acute muscle spasm episode and could barely walk to go for a wee. My vet advised conservative rest, medication and physio, he improved after about 4 weeks to being able to go for about 1 mile walks. We had set backs, mainly from my lack of judgment about his exercise tolerance and his insistance he was fine and could do more. That and the day he chased a pheasant towards a main road. Twenty seconds of glory, 2 weeks of more recuperation and another £60 physio bill
It took about 3-4 months to fully adjust to a new exercise approach, but he's as happy as ever, and can manage about 2 miles at his pace. Its hard when you know how energetic he used to be but equally at 14 what am I hoping for? I'm just happy he's still with me and in reasonable health.

 

[Jenko109]

I know it's not really my post, however an update... we gave up with Galliprant.

We switched to Trocoxil which has made all the difference. We have just had a week in Wales which involved plenty of walking, including lots of hills which we do not have back home.

Not a single lame/stiff step was had ❤

 

[AmyMay]

I know it's not really my post, however an update... we gave up with Galliprant.

We switched to Trocoxil which has made all the difference. We have just had a week in Wales which involved plenty of walking, including lots of hills which we do not have back home.

Not a single lame/stiff step was had ❤

Great news!